In 1961, Minnesota gained its first professional sports team when the Washington Senators moved to Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington and became the Minnesota Twins. The team enjoyed relatively quick success, winning the American League pennant in 1965 behind the hitting of Tony Oliva and Harmon Killebrew, and the pitching of Mudcat Grant and Jim Kaat. The Twins lost the World Series that year to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The team didn't make another trip to the World Series until 1987, when they became Word Series champions…a feat the Twins repeated in 1991.
By 1987, the Twins moved into the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The team's move to that domed stadium was controversial, as would be its move to Target Field in 2010. Both projects were preceded by years of debate and controversy over whether public investments in stadiums were worthwhile.
Nine Twins players have have had their numbers retired: Harmon Killebrew (3), Tony Oliva (6), Joe Mauer (7) Kent Hrbek (14), Bert Blyleven (28), Rod Carew (29), Kirby Puckett (34), and Jim Katt (36).
June 9, 1995 - Baseball players “Mudcat” Grant and Harmon Killebrew, both on the 1965 Twins team, recollect on that historic season and how it unfolded. Killebrew talks about an injury that almost kept him from playing and the current baseball strike and Grant reveals how he got the nickname "Mudcat".
June 14, 1995 - All Things Considered’s John Rabe catches up with Scott Miller, St. Paul Pioneer Press beat writer for Minnesota Twins. Miller gives a frank assessment of a team that is 21 games back in division with only 45 games into season.
July 7, 1995 - Local sports commentator Howard Sinker provides commentary about Minnesota Twins trade of Rick Aguilera as the team finds itself with a dismal mid-season record.
August 1, 1995 - Baseball commentator Howard Sinker talks with MPR’s Gary Eichten about the Minnesota Twins trading away veteran pitching staff, leaving the team with four rookies and a second year pitcher.
August 11, 1995 - MPR’s Jon Gordon profiles retired star Minnesota Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek, who’s #14 is being retired by the team. Hrbek ended his career with 293 homeruns, second only to Harmon Killebrew for a Twins player. Hrbek is seen by some as one of the best position players at first base.
September 12, 1995 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on Minnesota Twins push for changes with stadium commission at a pro sports task force. The team organization says they need better revenue…and a possibly new venue.
September 19, 1995 - All Things Considered’s John Rabe interviews Minnesota Twin Brian Raabe, who had his first Major League Baseball hit the previous night. It’s a happy moment in a rough year for both the team and MLB as a whole, coming out of strike and fan disillusionment.
March 1, 1996 - All Thing’s Considered’s John Rabe talks with baseball analyst Kevin Hennessy about the upcoming 1996 Twins season. Hennessy shares a number of stats that provide an indication of what may be to come on the ballfield.
April 1, 1996 - In honor of Opening Day of Major League Baseball, MPR host John Rabe and baseball analyst Kevin Hennessy hit the street for a game of catch while chatting about the make up of Minnesota Twins team that is taking the field in 1996.
May 1, 1996 - Local sports commentator Howard Sinker gives his impressions of the Minnesota Twins during the first month of 1996 MLB season.